Days per Year: 197

Min: $66,105

Mid: $79,645

JOB TITLE: Middle School Counselor  

REPORTS TO: Principal

WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt  

PAY GRADE: AI 2

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Middle School Counselor is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating a comprehensive program of guidance to school assigned, including counseling services. Provide a proactive developmental guidance program to encourage all students to maximize personal growth and development.

All employees of SISD are expected to act with integrity, support organizational goals, communicate in a clear and respectful manner, championing the needs of our students and drive continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas School Counselor certificate as required by the State Board of Education Certification

Preferred:

• Three years teaching experience

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Knowledge of counseling procedures, student appraisal, and career development
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
• Knowledge of student achievement data and how it relates to student intervention

MAJOR REPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Coordinates with Academic & Student Support Services to meet District objectives.
• Identifies the academic guidance needs of students.
  • Assists with standardized testing for the campus including GT assessment.
  • Confers with students whose grades indicate academic problems or whose test results indicate academic weakness.
  • Works with students and parents in relating achievement abilities and interests to current and long-range educational planning.
  • Monitors middle school credits and establishes four-year high school plan for middle school students.
  • Works with students to set an Achieve Texas pathway prior to leaving 8^th
  • Assists in the intervention process for students.
• Counsels with students individually or in groups.
  • Assists students with personal, family, adjustment and social problems.
  • Assists students in developing problem solving and coping skills and in developing high self-esteem.
  • Coordinates with administrators and the community Youth Service Specialist, Substance Abuse Counselors and Attendance Officer to assist students having truancy, drug or status offense problems.
  • Notifies parents and/or appropriate agencies in case of child abuse, potential suicide and other crises in accordance with District Policy.
  • Assists or serves on District crisis intervention team as needed/assigned.
  • Conducts/assists in prevention guidance activities related to child abuse and substance abuse and suicide.
• Assists students, staff and parents in making use of the counseling services.
  • Interprets guidance information for teachers working with students.
  • Seeks to identify students with special needs and works with parents, staff and outside agencies to meet these needs.
  • Consults with District psychologists and diagnosticians, youth service workers, substance abuse counselors, teachers and parents on behalf of students and according to management guidelines.
  • Assists in the referral of students for special program placement in the Admission, Review, Dismissal Committee, the Student Assistance Team, Tier 4 Building Referrals Committee, etc.
  • Provides in-service and workshops on counseling related topics for teachers.
  • Provides technical assistance and clinical supervision for teachers in programs related to counseling.
  • Plans/assists in orientation, transition and career activities.
• Coordinates counseling information and record keeping.
  • Maintains documents and reports relating to referrals and special placements.
  • Assists in identification, delivery and monitoring of services to at-risk students.
  • Maintains daily records of all contacts with and on behalf of students.
• Assists in scheduling and providing information and assists students and parents in course selection process.
  • Disseminates course selection information and assists students and parents in course selection process.
  • Assists in determining appropriate academic placement and course selection for all students.
• Assists/Coordinates campus transition activities for middle school students with elementary and high school campuses.
  • Assists/coordinates transition activities for incoming sixth grade students.
  • Assists/coordinates transition activities for eighth grade students entering high school.
  • Assists with related parent orientations.
• Functions as an integral and unifying facilitator of the campus improvement plan, the District counseling objectives and the District Five-Year Strategic Plan.
• Assists in evaluation of campus and District counseling programs and in implementation of necessary changes.
• Remains current in the area of counseling through membership in professional organizations, review of related literature, attendance of workshops and in-service programs.
• Promotes community understanding through professional concern for all students as well as demonstrating an interest in school and community activities.
• Performs other appropriate guidance and counseling duties as assigned by the principal.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands:  physical mobility, standing, prolonged sitting, some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling.  This position will also require both traveling within the district and state wide. Mental demands: Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of situations; ability to interpret a variety of data; ability to interpret TEC and policy; ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory, ability to be effective in both oral and written communication; ability to maintain emotional control under stress.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.